27 Weeks Pregnant

At 27 weeks pregnant, your baby is getting ready for the D-day — and so are you. By now, the volume of amniotic fluid is reduced by about half, which means that you can easily spot bony knees and elbows poking out of your stomach since there’s less cushioning. Yes, you read that right — you can see your baby moving! The bad news is that, as your belly grows, stretch marks are more likely to show up on your belly, thighs, and bum — stock up on collagen-based moisturizers to help prevent them!

Contents:

Pregnancy Symptoms at 27 Weeks

Pregnancy Symptoms at 27 Weeks

What to Expect:

How are you feeling this week? What to expect at 27 weeks pregnant?

As the second trimester is drawing to a close, new symptoms may start to appear. In addition your normal backache, you may notice that your leg muscles cramp up occasionally. Why? First, because your baby is growing, and you’re carrying extra weight; second, because your uterus is putting pressure on the blood vessels that return blood from your legs to your heart, and also on the nerves that lead from the trunk to your legs. Stretch your calf muscles whenever cramps strike — this will give you some relief.

Now that your body uses up more energy, you may feel hungrierthan usually. Make sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet that’s rich in essential nutrients like protein, iron, and calcium. Try to keep as active as possible — it’s a good idea to talk to your midwife about the best exercises to try during week 27.

Have you noticed stretch marks forming on your thighs, belly, and bum? Expect more in the weeks to come — after all, your uterus is expanding right now, and it will culminate on week 40, right before the D-day! Consider applying a moisturizer with collagen and retinol to supply the skin with additional nutrients that support elasticity and prevent stretch marks. Whatever you do, stay away from products that aren’t pregnancy-safe!

Your Baby at 27 Weeks

How big is a baby at 27 weeks? During week 27, your baby is about the size of a broccoli — he measures 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended, and baby weight is almost 2 pounds. Right now, your little one may start to open his eyes and even distinguish between day and night. His irises sill lack pigment, but they’ll start to color soon.

Fact: all babies have blue eyes in the womb regardless of their inheritance. Your baby will get his final eye color a few months after birth. Although his little lungs are still immature, they’d be able to function with medical help if your baby was born this week. Apart from his somersaults and turns, his hiccups might also radiate through your tummy, so you’ll feel all his burbs and shudders. His brain is developing more tissue, and will become increasingly active as your pregnancy progresses. In fact, the brain is going through the last stages of development and fine-tuning right now — quite impressive, isn’t it? Did you know that newborn babies have more taste buds than they will have later in life? This means that, if you eat something spicy, it’s possible it will make your baby hiccup — so stay relaxed and enjoy the tickle!

Ultrasound Images of 27 Week Pregnancy

Bellies at 27 Weeks

Pregnancy Tips

Concerned about stretch marks? Talk to your midwife or doctor about a pregnancy-safe collagen-based moisturizer you can apply daily to help prevent them. Consistent massage may also contribute to keeping the skin firm and elastic so it doesn’t develop stretch marks.

Have troubles sleeping? Invest in a specially-shaped pregnancy pillow — it supports your growing belly without making you or your baby uncomfortable, and helps you get a good night’s rest. It’s also great for breastfeeding!